Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ava Gabrielle


(taken Jan 1, 2012)

This morning at 5:45am, our sweet Ava went to celebrate her first birthday in Heaven. We were able to hold her for three peaceful hours before she slipped away but miss her terribly already. After a difficult morning of saying goodbyes, Matt and Elizabeth spent the afternoon and evening in the Emergency Room where she was diagnosed with pneumonia. Thankfully, she was released tonight and is able to be treated at home.  We are so grateful for your prayers and will post information about a service for Ava as soon as it's available.
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34 comments:

  1. CourtneyMay 24, 2012 at 7:38 PM

    Hurting for you...so happy for Ava. Praying for a quick recovery for Elizabeth and strength and peace for all of you.

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  2. KatieMay 24, 2012 at 7:45 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss, but she is in a better place! My prayers are with you all through these hard times!

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  3. ChristyMay 24, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Your friend Julie asked us to pray for your sweet family a few weeks ago. I am sad to hear the news of Ava, but rejoyce that Jesus concord death and that Ava is cradled in His arms. We will continue to pray for your family all the way from Oregon..

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  4. Lauren HysenMay 24, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    I am sorry to read about sweet Ava passing this morning. although I don't know any of you I feel so connected through this blog and your beautiful example of an amazing faith in God. I have loved reading and enjoying beautiful Ava this past year. My prayers are with all of you in this difficult time and praying sweet Elizabeth feels better soon. Ava has always been an angel here on earth and now she is home and free if pain. Prayers and love to all of you

    Lauren Hysen, CA

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  5. The Piechocinski FamilyMay 24, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Praying for you. Ava has touched the lives of so many. She will be forever in our hearts and minds. Sending our love to Elizabeth and Hannah and hope they recover quickly. Always here for you.

    Jaime

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  6. AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Love and prayers to you and your family Matt. Stacey

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  7. Three and MeMay 24, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Love you lots! -Maryn

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  8. The KargelsMay 24, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    We cry with you. Wish we could have met your beautiful Ava.
    Love Ryan and Angela

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  9. ThuyMay 24, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    I'm crying with you all as you miss Ava, and I'm also thankful she's in the best hands now. I'm so sorry for your tremendous loss. I pray that God's comfort and peace will hold all of you in the days, months, and years ahead. Thank you so much for sharing Ava with the world, and for being so much like Jesus in the way you have suffered well.

    ~A fellow Journeyer from Tower Grove

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  10. AnonymousMay 24, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    I'm so sorry, Matt and Sara. I am praying for a divine peace that only God will ever be able to provide. Ava was so blessed to have you both as her loving caregivers here on Earth. Love to you all.

    The Gores in Eugene

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  11. scaifesahoyMay 24, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    So much joy in this post. I am grieving with you, praising God with you, and praying continually for the peace that surpasses all understanding. What a precious gift it will be to kiss her sweet face and hug that perfect heavenly body one day. All my love, friend.
    -Meghann (Saylor) Scaife

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  12. UnknownMay 25, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. UnknownMay 25, 2012 at 2:42 AM

    My heart breaks for all you've lost this year, Matt and Sara. Thank you for sharing Sweet Ava with us here on your blog. I'm praying for the Lord to draw you all very close and for His comfort, strength and peace to carry you through this time. Also healing for Elizabeth Joy and that the Holy Spirit fills you all.

    With love,
    Nancy Hall (ALCF)

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  14. Brian CoverMay 25, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    Our prayers are with you all right now. Our hearts hurt, but we are also filled with joy for Ava is home with Jesus. Sid must be smiling right now as he is hanging out with Jesus and playing with two grandchildren in heaven.

    Blessings to you all -

    The Cover family

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  15. ChristineMay 25, 2012 at 5:06 AM

    She will be missed.

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  16. RMCarterMay 25, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    Praying for your peace and comfort.

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  17. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 7:18 AM

    Dearest Sara, I'm weeping yet celebrating that I will finally get to hold your perfect, sweet Ava in heaven. Loving you always, Mama K

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  18. AmyMay 25, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Dear Matt and Sara, praying the comfort, peace and presence of Christ over you and your family during this time. Through your words here on this blog, I have seen the glory of Christ as you have loved Ava. May God continue to sustain and carry you moment by moment. With much love, Amy

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  19. ColleenMay 25, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    Praying for peace and in awe of your incredible faith in our loving Father. Lots of love,
    Colleen

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  20. TheReuterFamilyMay 25, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    Our hearts are breaking for you Sara, but we are thankful she has found peace in Heaven. Thank you so much for sharing your faithful journey with us. She was so blessed to have you and Matt as parents during her time here! Please know we will be praying that you find peace and our girls will know all about their NICU buddy and her family who have inspied us all!
    Lots of Love!
    The Reuter Family

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  21. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers Sara...My heart goes out to you as a Mother & and a friend in Christ...although we never understand the reasons God always has a plan...May the peace of God rest upon you & your loved ones at this time...

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  22. Daniel and Nicole McFarland and FamilyMay 25, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    Our family prays that the grace of God, the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ rests on, rules over and abides in all of you always, and especially now.

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  23. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    My prayers are with you as well. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. ~Kelly

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  24. RooMay 25, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    xoxoxoxoxo

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  25. ReinaBorinquenaMay 25, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Oh Sara. My heart aches for you and your family. ((((( HUGS )))))

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  26. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    So sad to hear the news today, my heart aches for your loss. We love you all so much!

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  27. jbMay 25, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    i just wanted to say that we will continue to uphold you all in prayer. my heart aches for all of you. i can't imagine...
    we are mourning here in niverville with you.

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  28. G & JMay 25, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    Gary & I echo our sister Nancy's post above. We give thanks that you were blessed to have such an angel for the past year, and that now Grandad gets to play with her in Heaven. Love you!

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  29. HeatherMay 25, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    My heart is breaking for you family right now. And yet at the same time I am amazed at the blessings you have witnessed. Ava is truly a very special little spirit and it is wonderful that she made it to a little bit of her birthday.

    I wish I lived closer to help your sweet family. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

    Love a fellow Turners Syndrome Mommy
    Heather

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  30. jeannette haynesMay 25, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    So sorry for your loss of sweet Ava. She was an angel who is home after bringing both sorrow and Joy to her family and all those who joined in her journey here on earth. My prayers will continue to be with all of you as we join you in your grief. Your faith in God's will is an inspiration.

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  31. LindsayMay 25, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    I cried over this all day yesterday...Just so sad for your loss, and all of our loss really. I cherish the short time I spent at your house and got to meet Ava in person. I will be praying for your family. You all are such an inspiration. Ava's legacy is so far reaching and she is in Jesus' arms now!

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  32. Joan K.May 25, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Our Precious Harms Family, May He hold you in the palm of His Hands.
    In His Precious Love, Bob and Joan Kilburn

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  33. AnonymousMay 26, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    We are hurting for you of the loss of your precious sweet Ava. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers. Liesa

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  34. AnonymousJune 6, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    My heart aches for your family. Ava was a special little girl and touched so many lives. She showed us all what strength is. I hope you find peace in knowing that Ava is being cradled in love until you get to hold her again. My prayers with be with all of you.

    Deanna

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